Life

Born Mark Karamitsos in Constantinople in 1924, Mark moved to Greece with his family at an early age. After graduating from high school he continued his education, studying theology at the University of Athens. After graduating from the university, he was ordained a deacon in 1950 at St. Artemios Church in Pangrati, Athens. He served as a deacon at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens and at divine services in the chapel of the Royal Palace in Athens.

In 1960, Dcn. Mark was invited by Archbishop Iakovos of America to come to the United States. Upon his arrival Mark served as the archbishop's deacon. In 1961, Dcn. Mark was ordained a priest and was assigned to serve as priest of Annunciation Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1965, Fr. Mark was transferred to St. Eleftherios Church in Manhattan, New York, where he served until 1971.

After his consecration to the episcopacy as Bishop Philotheos of Meloa by Abp. Iakovos in June 1971, he served as director for three years of St. Basil's Academy and, since February 1992, as the Archbishop's senior auxiliary bishop with responsibilities that included the parishes in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx in New York City.

After Abp. Iakovos' retirement in 1996, Bp. Philotheos remained at the Archdiocese for a year to assist Abp. Spyridon during his transition and first year as archbishop of the Greek Archdiocese in America. On October 1, 1997, Bp. Philotheos retired after having assisted Abps. Iakovos and Spyridon for twenty-five years at the Archdiocesan headquarters.